Rotary engine



Patented Sept. 27, |898.

4 Sheets-Sheet J. C. WALKER.

ROTARY ENGINE.

(Application filed Dec. 27, 1897.)

W/TNESSES y (No Model.)

Patented Sept. 27, |898. J. C. WALKER.

ROTARY ENGINE.

ation led Dec. 27, 1897.)

4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

A TTOHNEYS.

Patented Sept. 27, |898. J. C. WALKER.

ROTARY ENGINE.

ication led 7 1 Dec 2 897.)

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

No. 6I|,535. Patented Sept. 27, |898.

J. C. WALKER.

ROTARY ENGINE.

(Application med nec. 27, 1897.) (No Model.)

4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

mmmm

W/TNESSES /N VENTO/9 ATTORNEYS.

PETERS cc. FHoTo-LTrmomyvAsHmNomn D c llNrrn STATES Afrnn'r rricn.

JAMES C. W'ALKER, OF VACO, TEXAS.

ROTARY ENGINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 611,535, dated September 27, 1898.

Application filed DeOembeT 27, 1897. Serial No. 663,783. (No model.)

To @ZZ when@ it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES C. WALKER, of

shown in my other patent with certain imr proved cut-oif devices and mechanism adapted to impart a reverse movement to the piston and drive-shaft.

This invention also seeks to provide certain additional features to the cylinder and modifications in the construction thereof which will render the said patented engine of a more practical and stable construction, in which the cut-off devices are so arranged as to obtain the full effect of the live and expansible steam forces, wherebya maximum impact en- Y ergy on the piston is obtainableV in a substantial uninterrupted manner and without the undue jarring on the several parts constituting the engine, such as is usually encountered in the practical use of engines of this class.`

With various other minor objects in view, all of which will hereinafter be fully set out, the invention consists in a rotary'engine embodying the peculiar combination, construction, and novel arrangement of parts, such as will be first described in detail, and then bev specifically pointed out in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is an elevation of my improved rotary engine,one pair of cylinders being shown in side elevation and the other pair in vertical section. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the same, taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 3 is a similar view taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1 in the direction of the arrow. Fig. et is a diagrammatic face view of one of `the cylinders and valve-shifting devices hereinafter specifically referred to. Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical section taken on the line 5 5 of Fig.

3. Figs. 6 and 7 are detail views of the inlet and exhaust ports, the shifting valves, and aport-ion of the operating devices therefor. Fig. 8 is a transverse section on the line '8 8 of Fig. 5.

In the practical construction of my present invention the cylinders, drive-shafts, and the abutments are arranged substantially the saine as in my patent referred to, with the exception that the inner halves of the two sets of cylinders are cast or otherwise formed integral, leavingthe solid metal around the drive-shaft, whereby the structure of the cylinders is more stable and more solid bearings forthe drive-shaft provided.

` The four cylinders B B' B2 B3 are arranged in pairs, as before,`butthe two pairs are separated sufficiently to provide for the convenient application of the valve-operated devices and the shaft-operated cam mechanism therebetween.

The outer and inner halves of the two pairs of cylinders are firmly bolted to the solid portion of the cylinders and are held steam-tight by the outer packing-rings P, and the additional packing-boxes P P', disposed over the drive-shaft A5, and the rings P2 P3, fixedly secured to the drive-shaft, steam-tight against the cylinder, as clearly shown in Fig. 1.

To provide for a convenient discharge of the condensations Within the cylinders, such cylinders are each formed with a collectingwell having outlet-pipes P4 P5 PG P7, which empty into a valveoutlet-pipe P8.

As in my other patent referred to, the valvel operating devices and the pistons in the present structure are so arranged as to provide for a live-steam impact on the shaft at each quarter-revolution thereof to gain the maximum speed and power and maintain the rotation of the shaft at all times practically under a live-steam-impact force, and also obtain the f ull effect of the expansive force of the steam- `heat in each cylinder.

abutments are all arranged at the top of the cylinders in alinement, but the pistons are IOO arranged on quarters and the valve and abutment-slide operating devices so disposed as to efect a successive operation alternately on the slides of the cylinders, as will hereinafter be made clear.

By referring now more particularly to Figs. l and 2 it will be observed the abutmentvalves O10 K18 M M0 are held to slide in casements O3, K17, M', and M4, the abutment slidevalves having rods O7, K10, M3, and M5 operating through steam-tight guide-apertures. To the upper ends of these rods are secured rock-levers S, K4, H11, and L7, to which are xedly joined pendent levers O5, K15, H2, and L3, the lower ends of which are connected to the rock-shafts O13, K12, K', and K. The rocklevers S, K14, H11, and L7 are also provided with rods O0, K13, H10, and L4, which connect, respectively, with the rock-shafts O12, K20, K4, and K3. The rock-shafts O12, O13, K4, and K' are in the nature of tubular sections, in which the other rock-shafts are held to rotate, all of such shafts being journaled in suitable bearing-supports 10, projected up from the cylinder-casing and having suitable collars or cuff members, in which such shafts revolve in part. To the tubular shaft K' is connected a crank-lever H13, which has a hinged connection with a downwardly and inwardly extending pendent pitman-rod H7, which is pivotally connected to the upper end of the sliding shaft H0, (see Fig. 2,) the lower end of which is connected with the curved member of the vibrating lever H, which is operated by the upper side of cam A, secured to the cam-disk D, the construction of which will be presently more fully disclosed. To the upper end of lever H6 is also iixedly connected a rod H8, which forms a mate to the rod H7 and is projected in an opposite direction, its upper end being pivotally connected with the crank-arm H12, which is connected to and operates the tubular rock-shaft K4.

By referring now more particularly to Fig. 2 it will be seen that rock-shafts K and K3 have inwardly-projecting cranks L5 and L0, to which the lever-rods L2 and L are respectively pivotally connected, the lower ends of which are flxedly connected to the verticallysliding shaft L, the lower end of which is fixedly connected to the curved member of the vibrating lever-arm H', operated by the cam A of the disk D. The levers H and H', referred to, are j ournaled on suitable cross-rods 20, as shown in Fig. 1. Each cylinder is provided with a steam-chest formed of three compartments 20, 20, and 201, as most clearly shown in Fig. 6. In the compartment 20 is fitted a valve H23, which is operated by handoperated rock-shafts R R', (see Figs. l and 4,) which shafts are connected by levers R3 and R4 to cause them to move in the same direction. When the shafts R and R' are rocked in the direction indicated by the arrow 12 in Fig 4, the connecting-levers H23, H20, H32, and H34, joined at one end with the valve H23 and at the other end to the crank members H27,

H33, H30, and H31, projected up from the rockshafts R R', will cause such valve H23 to slide in the direction indicated by the full-line arrow over the inlet H10 and open the port H20. When the shafts R R are moved to slide the valve H23, as stated, the cover-plates H36 and H35,which are connected with the valve H23 by a suitable slide-frame, are moved to close the exhaust H21 and open the exhaust H22. At this time a valve-plate H17 is held over the feedport t10 to inlet by the action of a lever H4. (See Fig. 2.) -This lever H4 connects with the valve-plate H17 by a link H10, bell-crank H15, and pitman H14,joined substantially as shown, such lever H4 being suitably fulcrumed at 4 to the fixed support.

H13 indicates a valve-plate which operates over the feed-port h20 to inlet H20, and which in turn is operated by the lever H5, constructed and manipulated like lever H4. It should be stated that the levers H4 and H5 are operated alternately-t1 e., as lever H4 is set in an operative condition the lever H5 will be out of gear. (See full lines in Fig. 2.) When the lever H5 is set for operation, live steam will ent-er through port H20 at one side of the abutment and escape through the exhaust H22 at the opposite side of the abutment, it being understood that during this operation the inlet H10 is held permanently closed by the valve H23, the lever H4 at this time being held out of gear with the disk-operating devices presently referred to. Thus it will be readily understood that when taking steam through the inlet H20 the piston is driven from right to left, (see arrow 00,) and when the lever devices H4 are set for operation the motion of the engine is reversed, it being also understood that to eifect such reverse motion the shafts R and R' are turned to a reverse position to bring the valve H23 to close' H20 and open the port H10, the lever H5 during the reverse movement being thrown out of gear and the lever H4 into an operative position, leaving the valve H17 free to be operated by the said lever H4.

In the present structure two operating-disks are provided secured on the drive-shaft between the central pair of cylinders, one of such disks being provided for each set of cylinders. In Figs. 2 and 3 the two sides of the same disk are represented, the side shown in Fig. 2 being the one next the center of the machine and the side shown in Fig. 3 being the one next the cylinder B'. The disk D is fixedly secured to the drive-shaft and has at dia` metrically opposite points apertures d, in which block-weights E and E' are held to slide upon guide-rods d', which weights are norlnally held to their inward position by the springs E6 and E7, as shown. The disk D is also provided with sockets or guides disposed at 'right angles to the aperture d, in which are held to slide Weights E4 and E5, the weight E4 being on one side and the weight E5 being on the reverse side and opposite the weight E4. Weights E and E' are common to both IOO IIO

sides of the disk. The weights E4 and E5 are connected by means of suitable pivotal arms E8 and F9 with the weights E and E'.

F F and F2 F2 designate cut-off pieces pivotally secured upon opposite sides of the disk D, which are adapted to engage with the reverse-levers H4 and H5 and similarly-arranged levers H2 and H2, the purpose of which will presently appear, the disk F being adapted to cut olf steam when the piston is in direct motion from left to right, the cut-off F' serving the same purpose when the piston is on the reverse motion for the adjacent cylinder B', while the disks F2 and F3 serve the same purpose for cutting oif the steam in the forward and reverse motion of the piston in cylinder B. All of the cut-off devices are constructed and connected with the disk in a like manner. They are pivoted at the end next the dri ve-shaft and extend outward, preferably in diamond shape, as shown, their ends projecting beyond the ends of the inner perimeter of the disk D, so as to come in contact with the several levers operating the inletvalves and force them out toward the periphery of the disk, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, whereby to engage such levers H4, H3, H2, and H5 as may be set in an operative position and lift them to 4 cause a corresponding ,closing movement on the steam-chest valves connected therewith. The levers H3 and H2 serve the same purpose for the cylinder B that the reverse H4 and H5 do for the cylinder B.

Assuming the parts to be in the position shown in Fig. 2 and the disk to be turned in the direction indicated by the dotted arrow and the lever H5 up in a position out of the path of movement of the cut-off F', the lower edge of the cam A (shown in full lines) Will come in contact with the lever H5 and force it down to the position shown in dotted lines. This operation, through the several connecting-levers joined with the lever H4, opens inlet-valve H17. The lever H4 remains in this last position (and the live steam is admitted through the inlet H19) until it comes in contact with its cut-off F, which forces the lever up and closes theinlet H17.

A' indicates a cam similar to cam A, secured upon the disk upon the opposite face thereof and at a point diametrically opposite the cam A. The purpose of this cam is to engage the lever H2, which projects over the face of the disk opposite the lever H4, and which operates the steam-inlet valve of the cylinder B corresponding to the valve H17, such valve being indicated by L14 and connected by suitable levers LS, L2, L10, L12, and L13 with the said lever H3.

The cut-offs F' and F2 serve the same function as the cut-offs F and F2 for operating the levers H2 and H2 when they are set to cause a reverse motion of the engine. All of the cut-offs are held to the disk by loose clasps a, that slide under the inner rim of the disk provided for this purpose, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

The several cut-offs are actuated by lever mechanisms connecting them with the weights `F. and E on both sides, each of such mechanisms comprisinga nut or lug E15, which slides in a slot in the angle-lever E14, pivotally mounted in the bracket E16 and having its inner end pivotally connected with a link E12. The several vlinks E12 connect with the adjacent slide-blocks E and E', which blocks are connected to the slide-blocks E4 and E5 in the manner heretofore described. The blocks E and E' are held against centrifugal force by the springs EG and E7. y

The purpose of providing the Weights E4 and E5 and connecting them with the slideblocks E and E', as shown, is twofold: First,

such arrangement serves to balance the disk,

and, secondly, it also serves to make themovement of the two weighted blocks E and E' uniform.

As before stated, an upright shaft H6 is connected to a curved lever H and a similar shaft L connected to a corresponding lever H', which shafts and members H' and L are respectively connected with the rock-shafts K and K3 and K4 and K'. The shafts K, K2, K', and K4 are operated by movement of the levers H and H', and when the rock-shafts K and K3 are turned they actuate the abutment in the cylinder B, while the shafts K' and K4 when turned operate the abutment in the cylinder B'.

In operation when the diskD revolves the weights E and E' are thrown out by centrifugal force, and as they are thus moved they will, through the intermediate devices which connect them with the several cut-offs F and F' and F2 and F2,cause such cut-offs to slide toward the center line of the machine, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2. The adjustment of the cut-off `F in connection with the cam A serves to cut oif the steam when the piston is moving in direct motion from left to right, lthe cut-off F' serving the same purpose in the reverse motion, as heretofore eX- plained.

By referring now more particularly to Figs. 6 and 7, which illustrate the valves, duc., appertaining to the cylinder B', it will be noticed the inlets H19 and H211 are connected with the first compartment of the steam-chest and are opened and closed by the valve H23, which operates back and forth y in a close steam-tight aperture through the medium of the connecting devices which join it with the rock-shafts R and R heretofore referred to. The valves H17 and H1S cover the inlets k12 h2o in the second compartment of lthe steamchest, H18 remaining closed while the piston is moved from left to right, While the valve H17 during such movement of the piston is alternately opened and closed by the lever and cut-off devices operated in connection therewith until the motion of the piston is reversed, when the valve H1S becomes the operating-valve and the valve H17 the closure y The port H21serves as the exfor inlet H11.

IOO

IIO

IZO

haust when the piston moves from left to right and H22 the exhaust when the piston moves from right to left. The valves H35 and H36 are operated, respectively, over the ports H21 and H22 and are connected by parallel crescent frame-sections H26, which slide back and forth in guides, as shown, such valves H35 and H36 being connected to the said frame H26 by the cross-levers H27 and H23. When the rock-shafts R and R' are turned to the right, valve H35 is moved forward to close opening H21, and the valve H36 is also moved forward away from the opening H22, such operation occurring in reverse motion of the piston. When, however, the rock-shafts R and R' are turned in a reverse direction, the port H21 is open and port H22 closed. The abutment M6 in the cylinder B is actuated by similar lever devices connecting it with the rock-shaft K3 K, which are, however, preferably disposed to the left of the said cylinder, as shown in Fig. l, and are actuated by reason of the coaction of the cam A, levers H', L, L', L6, L2, L3, L1, and L6. The valves on the cylinder B are operated by the coaction on the under side of cam A', levers H3, L3, L6, L16, L12, and L13, the exhaustport valves for the cylinder B being actuated by the rock-shafts R R' and the levers L13, L13, L26, and L23, while the exhaust-port valves in cylinder B' are actuated by levers H31, H32, and H31, connected to the same rockshafts R and R'. The abutments O16 K13, as also the valves connected with the cylinders B2 B3, are formed and actuated precisely as those above described and therefore need not be specifically set out. The disk portions D2 for operating the several valve devices for the cylinders B2 B3 are also formed precisely the same as the disk portions D for operating the valve mechanisms for cylinders B B', as are also the cam devices A2 and levers K6 and O', which connect the rock-shafts O12, O2, and O3 with shaft O13, which shaft in turn is connected by the levers O3, O6, O7, and S with the abutment O16. In the same manner and with similar lever devices abutment K13, cam A3,

and connecting levers are furnished and actuated. The valves of cylinder B2 are actuated by under side of cam A2 and levers r, r', and r3, while the valves of cylinder B3 are actuated by the under side of cam A3 and levers n, n', n3, n4, n3, and a6, the exhaust-ports being also operated in a manner similar to the exhaust-port referred to, it being understood that the arrangement of the several devices for actuating the valves and abutments on the cylinders B2 and B3 are arranged at right angles to those for operating the lever members for cylinders B and B', so that the engine-shaft will receive a live-steam impact force at every quarter-revolution of the same, as in my other patent referred to.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the complete operation of the invention is best explained as follows Assuming the parts to be in the position shown in Figs. l and 2, it will be noticed that when the engine is set to run from left to right the steam will enter into the outer compartment of the steamchest through the valve-opening H17 and from there through the inlet H16. Live steam entering within cylinder between the abutment and piston forces the piston and shaft, together with the actuating-disk, in the direction indicated by the arrow, the cam A in its movement engaging with the inturned end of the lever H1 and drawing it down to open the valve H17, while the cut-off F' engages the lever H4 and moves the valve H17 to its closed position to cut off steam-supply, it being understood that such valve will remain closed until the cam A again comes around and pulls the lever H4 down. As the disk D is thus operated with the shaft the cam A will raise the lever H, and through the lift-shaft H6 it will rock the shafts K' and K4, and thereby at the proper time lift the abutment M out of the path of the piston within the cylinder B', it being understood that during this operation the valve and cut-off devices in the cylinders B, B2, and B3 are operated in a like successive but alternate manner by means of lever devices corresponding with the levers H and H6 and suitable connections with the rock-shafts, which connect with the respective abutments of the said cylinders B, B2, and B3. It will thus be seen I have provided means for positively and automatically shifting the several valves for intermittently supplying live steam to the cylinders and for almost instantly effecting a reverse action of the engine. It will be also clear that While the piston is receiving its impact force from live steam the pistons within the other cylinders are having the full effect of the partiallyexpanded or exhausting steam force.

WVhile I have in this case shown four chambers arranged so that the shaft will receive a live impact force at each half of its revolution, it is manifest a less or greater number of such cylinders and operating devices may be employed. If less, the cam-disks are provided with a less number of cut-off devices, and if more than four cylinders are used such disks are provided with a proportionately increased number of such cut-offs.

By providing cut-off devices having centrifugally-operated means for shifting them to or from the fixed cams on the disks such devices will act as governor means for regulating the speed of the engine. Thus should the engine be running at a very rapid speed the cut-offs will be rotated forward on the disk toward the fixed cams and in consequence provide for a quick lift action of the levers H4 and H5 and the others corresponding thereto, and thereby produce a quick cuto of the live steam, it being obvious that as the force of live steam is thus decreased the spring E7 and E6, through the medium of the slide-blocks E and E', will serve to increase the space between the cams on the disk and IOO IIO

the cut-offs, and thereby provide for an increased live-steam supply. It will thus be seen a direct combined cut-off and governor mechanism is provided which, owing to its peculiar construction, Will positively and effectually serve for its intended purpose.

' Having thus described my invention, What I-claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isf l. In a rotary engine of the character described; the combination Wit-h the sliding abutment; the steam-chest, and the throttled valve operating therein; of a disk rotatable With the drive-axle; abutment-shifting-lever devices; cams xedlyheld on the rotatable disk for operating such abutment-lever devices to lift the abutment; the throttledvalve-shifting devices and the centrifugallyoperated automatically-adjustable cams arranged on the rotatable disk for shifting the throttled-valve-operating devices, all being arranged substantially as shown and for the purposes described.

2. A rotary engine, comprising a fixed annular chamber, a sliding abutment therefor, a drive-shaft having a concentric piston, a steam inlet and exhaust, arranged at each side of the abutment, opening into the chamber, a shifting valve mechanism for simultaneously closing the steam-inlet at one side, an exhaust at the other side, and opening the alternate inlet and exhausts, and a supple mental cut-oit valve, operated over the steaminlet, and mechanism operated from the driveshaft for imparting a reciprocating action to the said supplemental cut-od valve.

3. A rotary engine, comprising a fixed annular chamber, a sliding abutment, the driveshaft having a concentric piston, shaft-operated means for lifting the abutment, a steamchest for the chamber having a duplex set of steam-ports, one set being at each side of the abutment, a hand-operated sliding valve for opening and closing the inlet of one set and the exhaust of the other set of ports, said chest having independently and automatically operated supplemental valves movable over the inlets and ports; fixed cams carried by the shaft to move the said supplemental valves in one direction, centrifugal adjustable cut-offs for moving them to their reverse direction, and means for setting either of such supplemental valves out of engagement with the shaft, camand cut-off devices, for holding such valve to close o its respective steam-inlets, as specified.

4. The combination With the fixed cylinder,

.having an annular steam-chamber provided with a sliding abutment; the drive-shaft having a concentric piston and a fixed disk, said disk having means for raising the sliding abutment; a steam-chest having an inletport and exhaust-port opening into the steamchamber at each side of the abutment; a hand-operated slide-valve for opening and closing the steam-inlet, at one side of the abutment, and the exhaust at the other side of such abutment; independently-operated slide-valves movable over the steam-inlets, operating mechanism for such valves, such mechanisms including a lever adapted tobe projected in the path of the fixed disk, means for simultaneously setting such operating mechanism to alternately bring one of said levers in an operativeposition as the other is moved out of line With its adjusting devices, and means mounted on the fixed disk for imparting an alternate opening and closing movement on the said lever as specified..

5. A rotary engine, comprising a plurality of xed annular chambers, a drive-shaft having a series of concentric pistons projected in diametrically opposite directions, said pistons tting to travel one in each steam-cham ber, each chamber having a sliding abutment, such abutments projecting radially from the chamber in the same alinement; a cam mechanism on the shaft, having means for alternately liftingthe abutments at predetermined intervals; an exhaust and inlet port at'each side of the abutment-shaft, of the cylinder slide-valves for alternately opening and closing the inlet at one side and the exhaust at the other side of the abutment; supplemental valves operating over the inlet-ports, said valves having operating means adapted to engage and be set to alternate positions by the cam-disk, means for simultaneously setting both valve-operating means, one set of valve-operating means to the position to be engaged by the operating-cam, and the other set of operating means to be set in position out of engagement with the aforesaid operating-cam, all being arranged, substantially as shown and described.

6. In a rotary engine, substantially as described, the combination with the annular chamber; the drive-shaft; the steam inlets and exhaust; of the reciprocating inlet-valve, a rock-lever connected to and adapted to impart a shifting motion thereto; a disk secured on the shaft, having a fixed cam for engaging and moving the said rock-levers in one direction, and a cam automatically adj ustable by centrifugal action for engaging j and moving the said lever to its reverse position as specified. 4

7. In a rotary engine as described, the combination, With the annular steam-chamber, the sliding abutment, the steam-chest having a duplicate set of inlet and exhaust ports, the adjustable valve devices H23, the supplemental valves for the steam-inlets, and the pivotal levers for operating such valves; of the drive-shaft having the concentric piston; the disk D fixedly held on such shaft, the cams A and A ixedly secured to the disk, the pivotal cut-offs F and F', the sliding blocks E and E, the springs E7 and E6, the slide-block E4 E5 and the lever connections joining the blocks E4, E5 E and F', all being arranged substantially as shown and for the purposes described.

8. The combination of the cylinders B and IOC B',each having an annular chamber, the drive-y shaft having oppositely-disposed concentric pistons, such chambers having steam-chests, each provided with an inlet and exhaust port at each side of the abutment; the slide-valves H23, the rock-shafts R and R', having cranks connected with the slide-valves H23, the slideframes movable With the valves H23, having eXhaust-port-covering members, the supplemental cut-off valves, the levers H4, H5, H2 and H3, connected thereto, the levers H and H', abutments M and M3, the shafts H6 and L, connected to the levers H and H', the rockshafts K, K', K3 and K4, having lift-rods connected with the abutments, and crank members, the rods H3, L2, L' and H2, connecting the crank members and the shafts .H3 and L, and the disk D having iiXed cams A and A' and adjustable cut-offs F, F', F2 and F3, all being arranged substantially as shown and described.

JAMES c. WALKER.

Witnesses:

J. R. DOWNS, JNO. M. KING. 

